Thesis StatementEinstein's Theory of Relativity is a very complex group of ideas. It is revolved around the motion of objects based on the relative position of the observer. Einstein's Theory of Relativity is centered on theory and basic concepts, but there also errors in his work.
Image of Albert Einstein (Yousuf Karsh)
Background Information Einstein's Special Theory of Relativity describes the motion of particles moving at a speed close to the speed of light. The difference between Newtons law and Einstein's Theory is the excessive speed. At slower speeds, the difference between the two are very small. This being it does not effect our everyday life.
Basic Theory
On a theoretical basis, Einstein's theory of special relativity is based upon two statements:
1. The speed of light is the same for all observers, no matter what their relative speeds.
2. The laws of physics are the same in any inertial (that is, non-accelerated) frame of reference. This means that the laws of physics observed by a hypothetical observer traveling with a relativistic particle must be the same as those observed by an observer who is stationary in the laboratory. (SLAC) Einstein also shows how momentum and energy must be refined and how quantities of length and time must change from one observer to another in order to get consistent results for physical quantities. Errors Made
Image representing a massive object causing spacetime to curve.(Heisenburg)
Researchers believe the errors of Einstein's Theory of Relativity were clued by the fact that Quantum Theory's discovery of the wave properties of matter did not occur until 1928. Whereas Einstein's continuous electromagnetic field foundations were developed from 1905 to 1916 based largely on the ideas of James Clerk Maxwell (Maxwell's Equations, 1870s) and Lorentz's Theory of the Electron (1900). So basically his mistake was to work with fields in space-time (mathematical) rather than real waves in Space (physical), largely because he did not have knowledge of the Wave properties of matter when he developed his Theory of Relativity. (Haselhurst and Howie) Basic Concepts Einstein's Theory of Relativity is often compared to Newtons law of Motion. With this said, the orientation of Mercury's orbit is found to precess in space over time. This is commonly called the "precession of the perihelion",
This image represents the orientation of Mercury's orbit found to precess in space over time.(http://csep10.phys.utk.edu/astr161/lect/history/einstein.html)
because it causes the position of the perihelion to move. Only part of this can be accounted for by perturbations in Newton's theory. There is an extra 43 seconds of arc per century in this precession that is predicted by the Theory of General Relativity and observed to occur (a second of arc is 1/3600 of an angular degree). This effect is extremely small, but the measurements are very precise and can detect such small effects very well. Einsteins Theory also predicts that light coming from a strong gravitational field should have its wavelength shifted to larger values (what astronomers call a "red shift"), again contrary to Newton's theory. Once again, detailed observations indicate such a red shift, and that its magnitude is correctly given by Einstein's theory.
Astronomers observed the orbit of the double pulsar system, PSR J0737-3039A and B, to confirm Einstein's theory of general relativity to within 0.05%.(Michael Kramer, Jodrell Bank Observatory)
Conclusion Einstein's Theory of Relativity does not have a significant effect on the everyday lives of our society. It is often compared to Newtons law of Motion which is more relevant to everyday life. However, Einstein's Theory of Relativity has its share of pros and cons. The Theory is accurate with everything but the fact that Einstein relied more on mathematical theory rather than physical experience. The concepts are endless and the Theory is in depth, but Einstein's Theory of Relativity is far too complex to be fully examined.
Citations & Annotations MLA Citation: Karsh, Yousuf. "Albert Einstein" 27 Jan. 2009 http://www.mlahanas.de/Physics/Bios/AlbertEinstein.html
Annotation: This website was only used to retrieve a photo of Albert Einstein. There was not much information of its publishing, but the author of the photo was named in the article.
MLA Citation: Author Unknown. "Albert Einstein and the Theory of Relativity" 27 Jan.2009 http://csep10.phys.utk.edu/astr161/lect/history/einstein.html
Annotation: This website was used for a photo and the information regarding comparison of Einstein's Theory of Relativity with Newton's Law of Motion. Although there are not many credible sources, there are many links within the website connecting it to alternate sources. The information is also relavant to Einstein's Theory of Relativity and is similar to many other websites.
MLA Citation: Haselhurst, Geoff and Howie, Karene. "Summary & Simple Solution to Main Problems of Albert Einstein's Relativity Theory." 1997. 27 Jan. 2009 http://www.spaceandmotion.com/physics-einstein-problems-theory-of-relativity.htm
Annotation: This webpage informs readers of the errors associated with Einstein's Theory of Relativity. Although there is not an exact "updated" date, the webpage implies that was updated in 2009. This webpage was written by two people who have written many different websites that can be accessed from the webpage. There are many links to other pages where the credibility of the authors can be examined.
MLA Citation: SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory. "Special Relativity." Stanford University. 27 Jan. 2009 http://www2.slac.stanford.edu/vvc/theory/relativity.html
Annotation: The purpose of this webpage is to inform scientists and students on the theoretical basis of Einsteins's Theory of Relativity along with the subcategories that support the theory. This website is fairly up to date. The last update recorded was 10/31/2008. This website is operated by the students at Stanford University for the U.S. department of Energy therefor it is credible for the most part.
MLA Citation: Bailes, Matthew. "Einstein at least 99.95% right!" Swinburne Astronomy Online. 2007. Swinburne University. 27 Jan. 2009 http://astronomy.swin.edu.au/sao/astronomynews/astronews2006s2.xml
Annotation: This website was only used for one of the pictures it contained. There is a lot of credible information for further study.It is clear who wrote the site and what organization published it.
Theory of Relativity
Thesis Statement Einstein's Theory of Relativity is a very complex group of ideas. It is revolved around the motion of objects based on the relative position of the observer. Einstein's Theory of Relativity is centered on theory and basic concepts, but there also errors in his work.Background Information
Einstein's Special Theory of Relativity describes the motion of particles moving at a speed close to the speed of light. The difference between Newtons law and Einstein's Theory is the excessive speed. At slower speeds, the difference between the two are very small. This being it does not effect our everyday life.
Basic Theory
On a theoretical basis, Einstein's theory of special relativity is based upon two statements:
1. The speed of light is the same for all observers, no matter what their relative speeds.
2. The laws of physics are the same in any inertial (that is, non-accelerated) frame of reference. This means that the laws of physics observed by a hypothetical observer traveling with a relativistic particle must be the same as those observed by an observer who is stationary in the laboratory. (SLAC) Einstein also shows how momentum and energy must be refined and how quantities of length and time must change from one observer to another in order to get consistent results for physical quantities.
Errors Made
Researchers believe the errors of Einstein's Theory of Relativity were clued by the fact that Quantum Theory's discovery of the wave properties of matter did not occur until 1928. Whereas Einstein's continuous electromagnetic field foundations were developed from 1905 to 1916 based largely on the ideas of James Clerk Maxwell (Maxwell's Equations, 1870s) and Lorentz's Theory of the Electron (1900). So basically his mistake was to work with fields in space-time (mathematical) rather than real waves in Space (physical), largely because he did not have knowledge of the Wave properties of matter when he developed his Theory of Relativity. (Haselhurst and Howie)
Basic Concepts
Einstein's Theory of Relativity is often compared to Newtons law of Motion. With this said, the orientation of Mercury's orbit is found to precess in space over time. This is commonly called the "precession of the perihelion",
Conclusion
Einstein's Theory of Relativity does not have a significant effect on the everyday lives of our society. It is often compared to Newtons law of Motion which is more relevant to everyday life. However, Einstein's Theory of Relativity has its share of pros and cons. The Theory is accurate with everything but the fact that Einstein relied more on mathematical theory rather than physical experience. The concepts are endless and the Theory is in depth, but Einstein's Theory of Relativity is far too complex to be fully examined.
Citations & Annotations
MLA Citation: Karsh, Yousuf. "Albert Einstein" 27 Jan. 2009 http://www.mlahanas.de/Physics/Bios/AlbertEinstein.html
Annotation: This website was only used to retrieve a photo of Albert Einstein. There was not much information of its publishing, but the author of the photo was named in the article.
MLA Citation: Author Unknown. "Albert Einstein and the Theory of Relativity" 27 Jan.2009 http://csep10.phys.utk.edu/astr161/lect/history/einstein.html
Annotation: This website was used for a photo and the information regarding comparison of Einstein's Theory of Relativity with Newton's Law of Motion. Although there are not many credible sources, there are many links within the website connecting it to alternate sources. The information is also relavant to Einstein's Theory of Relativity and is similar to many other websites.
MLA Citation: Haselhurst, Geoff and Howie, Karene. "Summary & Simple Solution to Main Problems of Albert Einstein's Relativity Theory." 1997. 27 Jan. 2009 http://www.spaceandmotion.com/physics-einstein-problems-theory-of-relativity.htm
Annotation: This webpage informs readers of the errors associated with Einstein's Theory of Relativity. Although there is not an exact "updated" date, the webpage implies that was updated in 2009. This webpage was written by two people who have written many different websites that can be accessed from the webpage. There are many links to other pages where the credibility of the authors can be examined.
MLA Citation: SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory. "Special Relativity." Stanford University. 27 Jan. 2009 http://www2.slac.stanford.edu/vvc/theory/relativity.html
Annotation: The purpose of this webpage is to inform scientists and students on the theoretical basis of Einsteins's Theory of Relativity along with the subcategories that support the theory. This website is fairly up to date. The last update recorded was 10/31/2008. This website is operated by the students at Stanford University for the U.S. department of Energy therefor it is credible for the most part.
MLA Citation: Bailes, Matthew. "Einstein at least 99.95% right!" Swinburne Astronomy Online. 2007. Swinburne University. 27 Jan. 2009 http://astronomy.swin.edu.au/sao/astronomynews/astronews2006s2.xml
Annotation: This website was only used for one of the pictures it contained. There is a lot of credible information for further study.It is clear who wrote the site and what organization published it.